A figure disturbed the background. Relda turned around, and the figure came into focus. His skin hue matched Raylay's, but he lacked Raylay's long, jet black hair and beard. His hair and face were naked. He wore a flowing garment the color of the daytime sky.
"I am Corren," the creature introduced himself.
He laid his hand across his chest and bent forward, lowering his head. His voice was like a cool evening breeze.
"Where do you come from?" Raylay snapped.
"Quadrant 3," Corren explained. "I am one of the High Council. The Dialorians appointed us, but do not worry. I come with peace and fear."
Raylay sucked his teeth and stared at the ceiling.
"What is it you want?" He asked, starting to pick at his fingertips.
"My triplet daughters. Kaya, Anya, and Skyla, will be heirs to the Highest Appointee office. The one I now hold."
Twelve pairs of wide eyes peered between Relda and Raylay, fixated on Corren.
"My people have hacked the spy waves you recorded," Corren continued. "I followed them here. My daughters are in the Dialorian home ship…"
His speech trailed off, but Relda picked up his line of thought.
…"Along with the heir from Quadrant 1," she presumed.
Her shoulder supported a sudden hand and bodyweight behind it. Daly left her mother and paced the floor, never lifting her focus on the floor.
"And if they've taken the children of nobility from 1 and 3," she deduced.
"Then what's stopping them from getting them from 2 and 4?" Anthem added.
Dark emotion clouded Corren's countenance.
"Please help us," he begged. "Our Quadrant needs help. My daughters need help. My wife is sick with worry. You have the weapons. You have the training."
Relda studied Raylay's nonverbals. The corners of his lips tugged upward, and he extended his hand to Corren.
"Our goal is to fight for Quadrant 3," he said. "We'll start with your daughters."
The two men shook hands, and in the background, a comp flashed. Annika leaned over the screen.
"Trouble in Quadrant 2," she announced.